A brave Rotherham woman has bid a tearful farewell to the hair she’s grown for the past 50 years to raise money for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

Ann Griffiths, 63, from Mexborough, made the nerve-wracking decision after two months of gentle persuasion from her sister.

The grandmother of one, who works for Royal Mail HR Services in Sheffield, is beginning to get used to her new style after the initial shock faded.

“My sister encouraged me to do it – every time she saw me she was on at me to do it. Then after about two months I agreed to it,” said Ann.

“I decided that if I was going to do it I was going to do it right. When I’d had it cut off I cried at first, I just didn’t recognise myself in the mirror.

“But I’m getting used to it now and everyone keeps telling me how much it suits me.” 

Ann, who volunteered in Bluebell Wood’s Sheffield shop for seven years, said she would not have done it for any other cause.

“I chose Bluebell Wood because it’s a cause very close to my heart,” she said. 

“I have a healthy grandson, who’s a little tinker, and I realise how lucky I am.”

Ann had her locks chopped off at Louise’s Barber Lounge in Swinton, where the owner Louise did the haircut for free as well as sponsoring her.

She raised a grand total of £904, which was given a lift through Royal Mail’s Matched Funding scheme.

Julie Hampson, Corporate Fundraiser at Bluebell Wood said: “Ann was incredibly brave to do this after growing her hair for all those years and I’m pleased to hear she’s getting used to her lovely new style.

“She really has gone above and beyond for Bluebell Wood and we can’t thank her enough.”